10 Steps to Open for Business

Step 9: Establish a Brand

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Create a Logo

A logo is the visual image of your company that will be used in a variety of applications. When you are considering a design, think simple. Some of the best logos are one color and for a start-up, this can save you printing expenses.

Test how it photo copies and works in a digital environment. Sample other venues that you may grow into like an outdoor sign, moving vehicle, or promotional items like t-shirts and golf hats.

Make a List of all your Other Touch Points

Every time you touch a customer or prospect, you should feel your brand breathing. This can include your environment, other promotional activities, and even how your phone is answered. Remember the brand is the sum of you; infuse as many contact areas as possible with your brand essence or DNA .

Create a Demand for your Brand

Your product’s performance, your customer service, follow-through, and your communication add up to a brand experience. Great experiences turn your brand into a magnet for new and repeat business. Buyers will seek you out, tell their friends, and remain loyal. Your brand can make the buyer’s choice easy. That is the power of the brand.

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Comments

Although I have been a graphic designer for many years, I have learned personally how a brand can affect you. When I started my company in 2002, it was called "SerenDIPity Gourmet Specialties". It was kind of boring and long. Nobody really remembered it. At that time I was only selling my dip mixes so I thought the "DIP" in SerenDIPity was cute. Still, it wasn`t catchy enough. My web URL was always dippychick.com because serendipity.com was taken and anything else was too long. (I think get...

Great advice Chris!  Dippy Chick is absolutely memorable.  For me, The Pet Set, while I`ve seen it used by others, had to communicate a certain kind of style and quality...we have a very snooty looking dog next to our logo and it is registered. That dog is like our spokesperson...we don`t do anything without Ava (as in Gardner)...lol In ads she is the focal point, as in "Ava, for The Pet Set"...people get such a hoot that we treat her as if she is a celebritiy for the brand....

Dogs can be powerful marketing tools for sure! Especially larger dogs like Ms. Gardner there. I`d have to say that personally, I love to see a big lab or golden in an ad or logo, but poodles and little ragmop-type dogs turn me off. (Maybe because my obnoxious neighbors have 3 of them and they yap all day! When the lady walks them, they all fight with each other, so every day I hear little dog fights. I swear it sounds like they`re killing each other! ) I think The Pet Set is a g...

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